Game Notes: Philadelphia Soul (12-1) vs. Tampa Bay Storm (10-3)

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Soul (12-1) look to finish the regular 2017 season with a win against the Tampa Bay Storm (10-3) on Saturday, August 5 at 7 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. The game, presented by PA Lottery will be broadcasted live on CBS Sports Network and 97.5 The Fanatic.

This will be the fourth and final time that these two teams will face each other during the regular season. The Soul look sweep the series against the Storm, while the Storm look for a win after their bye week during Week 17.

The first match-up to watch out for is between Soul WR Darius Reynolds and Storm LB Alvin Ray Jackson. Currently this season, Reynolds leads the Soul receivers with 77 receptions for 1168 yards and 33 touchdowns. So far this season, Jackson has collected 55.0 total tackles, four pass breakups, eight passes defended, and four interceptionsfor 26 yards.

DB Dwayne Hollis and the Soul secondary must watch out for Storm WR Joe Hills this weekend. Hollis is ranked second on the team with 69.0 total tackles, 10 pass break-ups, 17 passes defended and a league high seven interceptions for 74 yards. Hills leads the Storm receiving core with 122 receptions for 1255 yards and 35 touchdownsthis season.

Finally, QB Dan Raudabaugh will face off against Storm QB Randy Hippeard. So far this season, Raudabaugh has completed 231-of-350 passes for 3,030 yards and 81 touchdowns. Hippeard leads his team with 326-of487 completions for 3,469 yards and 80 touchdowns this season.

The Soul will host Round 1 of the 2017 AFL Playoffs on Saturday, August 12 at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live on CBS Sports Network and 97.5 The Fanatic. Should the Soul win on the 12th, the team will advance to host ArenaBowl XXX at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday,August 26 at 7 p.m.

THE IFS:

If the Soul defeats the Storm it would…

* Give the Soul a 13-1 record for the 2017 season * Give the Soul a 70-31 record on Saturday games *Give the Soul a 15-5 record against the Storm

*Give the Soul a 9-5 record against Storm coach Ron James

PLAYER TIES

Soul OL Michael Simons and Storm OL Ryan Cave both played for the Orlando Predators in 2015.

Soul QB Luke Collis played for the Storm in 2015.

Soul DL Justin Lawrence and Storm DL Dexter Jackson were both members of the Milwaukee Mustangs in 2011-12.

Soul QB Luke Collis and Storm WR Joe Hills played with the Spokane Shock in 2012.

OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Randy Hippeard– So far this season, Hippeard has completed 326-of487passes for 3,469yards and 80touchdowns.

WR Joe Hills– The leading receiver has caught 122 receptions for 1255 yards and 35touchdowns this season.

LB Alvin Ray Jackson- Jackson leads the Storm defense with 55.0 total tackles, four pass break-ups and eight passes defended and four interceptions for 26yards.

THE SERIES

The last time the Soul faced the Storm was in Week 10 of the 2017 season, with the Soul winning 62-41.

WHAT’S AHEAD

The Soul will host Round 1 of the 2017 AFL Playoffs on Saturday, August 12 at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network and 97.5The Fanatic.